For years, Peru was regarded as one of South America’s most vibrant media environments. Investigative journalists exposed corruption scandals, uncovered abuses of power, and played a central role in holding political leaders accountable. Today, however, that environment is under growing threat. The deterioration of press freedom in Peru has become one of the most alarming developments for journalism in Latin America. Recent investigations by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) document how journalists face increasing threats from organized crime, political hostility, and institutional weakness, creating what press freedom advocates describe as a steadily worsening environment for independent reporting. A dramatic fall in press freedom The decline is measurable. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Peru has fallen dramatically in the World Press Freedom Index over the past several years, reflecting an increasingly hostile environment for journalists. RSF has warned of a “major offensive against press freedom” in the country, citing

As Zambia approaches its August 2026 general election, a growing coalition of lawyers, press freedom advocates, and civil society organizations is pushing back against what many see as an escalating crackdown on independent journalism and freedom of expression. At the center of the legal battle are two controversial laws enacted in 2025, the Cyber Security Act and the Cyber Crimes Act,  which critics argue grant sweeping surveillance powers to the state while criminalizing forms of journalism and online speech. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Zambian lawyers are now challenging these laws in court, warning that they could fundamentally undermine press freedom ahead of a highly contested election. The case represents one of the most significant legal confrontations over media freedom in Zambia in recent years. Lawyers involved in the challenge argue that the legislation threatens constitutional protections surrounding privacy, due process, and freedom of expression by allowing broad

Cuba’s worsening energy crisis has triggered a renewed wave of protests across the island, driven by prolonged blackouts, fuel shortages, and deteriorating living conditions. In response to growing public unrest, Cuban authorities have intensified efforts to control information, particularly by targeting independent journalists attempting to cover these events. Recent reports indicate a pattern of mobility restrictions, surveillance, and intimidation, suggesting a coordinated strategy not only to contain protests but also to limit their visibility domestically and internationally. Energy crisis as a driver of unrest Cuba is facing one of its most severe economic and energy crises in decades, marked by recurring blackouts and fuel shortages. These conditions have fueled localized protests across multiple provinces, with citizens demanding basic services and improved living standards. According to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, authorities have responded with repression and narrative control, framing protests as threats to national stability while limiting independent coverage